Charles Glen VanBrunt, age 82, died on December 12th, 2023, in Tulsa, OK. Charles was born on August 25, 1941 in Pryor, OK, to parents Charles Denver and Lucille VanBrunt. He graduated from Muskogee High School in the class of 1959, then furthered his education with his beloved Sooners by obtaining a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering in 1963 from the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, Charles served in the Air Force Reserves and serviced aircraft radios at Tinker Air Force Base before being Honorably Discharged in 1968. His first job with Texaco took him to Wichita where he met Carol Lou Franklin at the Cleveland Avenue Church of Christ. On July 20, 1968 they were married and shortly thereafter made their home in Tulsa, OK. Their son Corbyn Lee was born in 1969 and their daughter Carmen Gail was born in 1971. Charles followed advancement with Texaco while the family lived in Houston and Midland, TX. Charles and Carol returned to Tulsa in 1981 to raise their family when Charles joined the petroleum consulting firm of Raymond F. Kravis and Assoc where Charles performed reservoir analysis. He then became a partner in VLM Petroleum in 1987 and worked there for many years. In 1994 Charles "retired" and then started his own custom home company called VanBrunt Properties and built several homes in south Tulsa before being pulled back into the oil business. In 1996, Charles became the Head Engineer for Lariat Petroleum and led exploration and production with them until their sale to Newfield Exploration in 2001. Charles and his family were deeply involved as active members at the Park Plaza Church of Christ since 1981. For over 13 years Charles served as Deacon of Finance and was an integral part in the design and construction of a 2 story addition with a youth room, basketball court and commercial kitchen facilities. Charles used his talents to promote God's Kingdom here in Tulsa. Charles was known for a deep, powerful voice he used sparingly in meetings, but when he spoke you could rest assured wisdom was about to enter the conversation!
Charles was a strong yet loving man in his spirit, his relationships and his professional conduct. We all knew he held high expectations for his family; yet he used the same measure for himself. He guided us by the way we watched him lend others a helping hand and he brought wisdom to any scenario. His 5 grandchildren knew Grandad well, experienced life with him, felt his support and his love. He leaves all of us a roadmap of christian discipleship and honor to follow as we continue to shine his light in our everyday lives. He leaves a legacy which Jesus himself would say "well done, my good and faithful servant." May we all live in God's grace and hear those sweet words fall upon our ears someday.
He is survived by his wife Carol Lou Franklin and their children Corbyn Lee VanBrunt, wife Amy VanBrunt and Carmen Gail Freed, husband Jerry Freed; his sister Sharon Bay; his 5 grandchildren Coleman Shumate, Vail Phipps, Ashton VanBrunt, Vann Freed, and Cale VanBrunt.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Charles Denver and Lucille VanBrunt and his brother Wayne VanBrunt.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Benevolence fund in support of families in need this holiday season. The Park Church of Christ website has a tab for donations here: < https://give.egive-usa.com/App/Giving/parkplaza > and under the drop down menu "Fund", choose Benevolence. Thank you.